10 Missing X-Men: TAS Characters Who Could Appear For The First Ever Time In X-Men ’97 Season 2

X-Men ’97 still has a swathe of characters to introduce who didn’t previously appear in X-Men: The Animated Series. X-Men: The Animated Series boasted a stunning array of Marvel characters throughout its iconic run in the 1990s. The X-Men ’97 cast introduced several additional characters from the X-Men pantheon. However, some characters never made it into either but would make especially compelling additions to X-Men ’97 season 2.

The X-Men: TAS revival has proven itself so triumphant that X-Men ’97 season 2 was confirmed before season 1 was even released. Season 2 promises to maintain this impeccable reputation for complex narratives and nuanced characterization. X-Men ’97 season 1 was brimming with great X-Men characters, adapting some into the animated timeline for the first time, but season 2 has the potential to introduce further mutants from the comic books who never appeared in X-Men: The Animated Series.

10 Kitty Pryde Is A Classic And Beloved X-Men Character

Kitty Pryde Appeared In Pryde Of The X-Men, X-Men: Evolution, Wolverine And The X-Men, & 4 X-Men Movies

Kitty Pryde, AKA Shadowcat, is a beloved X-Man known for her unique phasing abilities. Despite her long-standing role in the comics and serving as the main character in the 1989 pilot Pryde of the X-Men, Kitty did not appear in X-Men: The Animated Series. Her absence was particularly notable in comic book adaptations such as “Days of Future Past,” in which she played a vital role. Shadowcat largely functioned in the comics asthe audience surrogate with a relatable coming-of-age narrative.

Kitty later matured into a formidable hero within the X-Men team. Though this role is filled by Jubilee and Sunspot in X-Men: TAS and X-Men ’97, Kitty could still bring compelling narratives depicting her personal growth. Including Kitty in X-Men ’97 season 2 would add a dynamic, multifaceted character. Indeed, Kitty Pryde is perhaps the biggest X-Men character conspicuously missing from the animated timeline.

9 Danielle Moonstar Was An Essential New Mutants Member

Danielle Moonstar Appeared In X-Men: Evolution & The New Mutants

Danielle Moonstar is a standout character from Marvel’s X-Men universe and a central member of the New Mutants team. Though several other New Mutants were established in X-Men: TAS, Danielle “Mirage” Moonstar was not. As a Native American mutant with the ability to create illusions based on people’s fears and desires, her powers and background have provided rich storytelling potential throughout the comics.

Mirage’s leadership qualities and deep sense of empathy make her a very interesting character who can add significant depth to a narrative. She would therefore be perfect for X-Men ’97 season 2. Danielle’s illusion-conjuring powers would flourish with X-Men ‘97’s updated animated techniques – as was seen through Madelyne Pryor’s illusions in episode 3 “Fire Made Flesh.” Given the established presence of other New Mutants, Moonstar’s introduction could seamlessly integrate into the existing storyline.

8 Magma Is An Important Young X-Men Member

Magma Appeared In The X-Men: Legends Video Game, X-Men: Evolution, & Wolverine And The X-Men

Magma, also known as Amara Aquilla, is an interesting character from Marvel’s X-Men universe who would be an excellent addition to X-Men ’97 season 2. Originating from the Romanesque city-state of Nova Roma (a fictional town hidden in the Amazon Rainforest), Amara possesses the ability to control lava and heat. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she was a sporadic yet impactful member of the New Mutants, eventually becoming more central in the 2000s.

Magma’s successful animated appearances in shows like X-Men: Evolution demonstrate her appeal and potential for engaging storylines. Magma’s role as the main character in the X-Men: Legends video game successfully introduced her to a wider audience. Her appearance in X-Men ’97 would draw from all of these. Magma’s narrative in X-Men ’97 could explore her dual heritage and struggle with identity – prevalent themes in X-Men ’97 – while her powers could provide for numerous visually striking sequences.

7 X-23 Is Another Weapon X Experiment

X-23 Appeared In Wolverine And The X-Men & Logan

X-23, AKA Laura Kinney, is a compelling character who is perfect for an appearance in X-Men ’97 season 2. Created for X-Men: Evolution in 2003 and transitioning to comics in 2004, she brings a fresh and intense dynamic to the X-Men universe. Laura, a clone and successor to Wolverine, possesses similar healing powers and adamantium claws, but her unique struggles with her identity and past make her especially fascinating.

Since her celebrated role in the film Logan, Laura has become a more widely known and beloved character. Laura’s journey from a weapon to a hero resonates deeply with narratives concerning redemption and self-discovery that could be readily introduced to recommence X-Men: TAS’s brilliant depiction of the Weapon X program. With Wolverine’s backstory being filled out in the comics in the years following X-Men: TAS, X-23 could be the conduit to address the aspects that were missing or retconned.

6 Cassandra Nova Is Xavier’s Evil Twin

Cassandra Nova Appears In Deadpool & Wolverine

Cassandra Nova is a fearsome adversary in X-Men comics. Cassandra was first created in 2001, and therefore could not have appeared in X-Men: The Animated Series but would make a great villain for X-Men ’97 season 2. As the twin sister of Charles Xavier, Cassandra shares a deep and complex connection with the X-Men, amplifying the emotional and psychological stakes of their conflicts.

Cassandra Nova’s upcoming appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine highlights her significance and enduring impact within the Marvel universe. Cassandra’s vast telepathic abilities, combined with her ruthless intellect and ambition, make her one of the most powerful and malevolent villains in theX-Menpantheon. Introducing her in X-Men ’97 would bring fresh, high-stakes drama and allow for the exploration of profound notions regarding familial bonds, the nature of evil, and the resilience of the human spirit.

5 Azazel Was Nightcrawler’s Original Father

Azazel Appeared In X-Men: First Class & Deadpool & Wolverine

Azazel is a sinister and enigmatic character from Marvel Comics who could help further explore Nightcrawler’s history in X-Men #97 season 2. Introduced in 2003, Azazel is a demonic mutant with teleportation abilities who was Nightcrawler’s father (though this was retconned in 2023). Azazel’s dark, mysterious background and the Hell dimension from which he hails add a unique supernatural element to the X-Men universe which would adapt well to X-Men ’97.

Introducing Azazel into X-Men ’97 could further expand upon Nightcrawler’s origin story. It was depicted in X-Men: TAS, where he was revealed as Mystique’s son, but his father was never revealed. With X-Men ’97‘s narratives involving the nature of family, particularly between Nightcrawler and Rogue, Azazel’s inclusion could facilitate further stories. Moreover, Azazel’s appearance in X-Men: First Class demonstrated an audience intrigue surrounding the mutant, which X-Men ’97 could exploit.

4 Daken Is Wolverine’s Son

Daken Is Yet To Make His On-Screen Debut

Daken is a complex and multifaceted character ideal for X-Men ’97 season 2. As the son of Wolverine, Daken shares his father’s enhanced senses, healing factor, and retractable claws, but his darker,more morally ambiguous nature sets him apart. His introduction to X-Men ‘97 would offer a fresh, intense dynamic and allow the series to delve deeper into Wolverine’s mysterious backstory, which was explored sporadically in X-Men: The Animated Series.

Daken’s struggle with his identity, feelings of abandonment, and desire for power would create rich, emotionally charged storylines for X-Men ‘97. His presence could challenge Wolverine and the X-Men in new ways, both in terms of physical confrontations and psychological battles. Exploring Daken’s complex relationship with his father would add depth and nuance to Wolverine’s character, enriching X-Men ’97’s overall narrative of the series while expanding Wolverine’s iconic backstory.

3 Hope Summers Is A Mutant Messiah

Hope Summers Had A Brief Role In Deadpool 2

Hope Summers is a pivotal character in Marvel Comics, whose appearance in X-Men ‘97 has been subtly teased. As the first mutant born after the devastating “House of M” event, Hope is often referred to as the “Mutant Messiah.” Her ability to mimic and enhance other mutants’ powers makes her a uniquely powerful and versatile character. Her backstory involves intense training and survival experiences with Cable, with both characters raised by the Askani tribe in the post-apocalyptic future.

With Cable’s new backstory firmly established in X-Men ’97 season 1 and the presumably pending time travel narrative in season 2, Hope could be easily introduced. Hope’s appearance would deepen the series’ exploration of mutant evolution and destiny. The surprise ending in X-Men ’97 season 1, in which Jean Grey and Cyclops encounter the Askani in the dystopian future, hints at this narrative.

2 The Stepford Cuckoos Are Telepathic Quintuplets

The Stepford Cuckoos Appeared In Wolverine And The X-Men, The Gifted, & X-Men: The Last Stand

The Stepford Cuckoos, also known as the Five-in-One, were created as clones of Emma Frost. The telepathic quintuplet sisters – Celeste, Esme, Irma, Phoebe, and Sophie – share a powerful hive mind that allows them to function with unparalleled psychic coordination. Their unique abilities and eerie synchronization provide fresh narrative possibilities and complex, high-stakes scenarios.

Including the Stepford Cuckoos in X-Men ’97 season 2 would help explore the realm of telepathy within the series. The Cuckoos’ connection to Emma Frost makes them especially suited for adaption into the animated series after she was revealed in episode 7, “Bright Eyes,” to have survived the Genosha massacre in episode 5. Moreover, Emma Frost’s appearances in X-Men: TAS feel far too insignificant and simplistic considering her subsequent time as an X-Men member and leader of her own mutant academy. The Stepford Cuckoos could help instigate these stories in the X-Men ’97 narrative.

1 Onslaught’s Appearance In X-Men ’97 Has Been Teased

Onslaught Is Yet To Make An On-Screen Appearance

Onslaught is a powerful and terrifying X-Men villain first introduced in 1995. Born from the merged consciousness of Professor Xavier and Magneto, Onslaught possesses immense telepathic and telekinetic abilities, alongside Magneto’s mastery of magnetism. This makes him an adversary of unparalleled strength and complexity.

Onslaught’s character embodies the internal and external conflicts within the X-Men, as he represents the darkest aspects of their greatest mentors. Onslaught’s storyline would explore corruption, redemption, and the consequences of unchecked power. Depicting Onslaught in X-Men ’97 season 2 thus would challenge the X-Men physically and emotionally, in a manner befitting a season-long villain.

Onslaught’s presence would provide intense, high-stakes drama, making him a compelling adversary for the series’ second season. Interestingly, Onslaught has been teased throughout X-Men ’97 with narratives comparable to those that led to his debut in the comic books. As one of the primary villains missing from X-Men: The Animated Series, his arrival in X-Men ’97 season 2 would be a thrilling development.